Reports and Communications

Dear University Community Members,

Yesterday, I reported that several electronic communications were sent to some members of our campus that were racist and contained threats of violence. After a thorough investigation by University Police (UP) and Campus Technology Services (CTS), it has been determined that these communications did NOT originate from any member of our campus community.

Unfortunately, a Google account belonging to a member of our community was hacked. Regardless of their source, these messages were frightening and disturbing to those who received them and for those who became aware of them. As I noted in my message yesterday, my leadership team and I take these threats very seriously. I want to thank the Residence Life and Housing staff, UP, and CTS for their swift actions to report, investigate, and keep our campus community safe.

As I noted yesterday, resources have been shared to ensure that students and staff impacted by this incident are supported. Please continue to access these resources and ask for help, if needed. Students and employees with questions, please contact Kendra Cadogan, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Interim Affirmative Action Officer, at [email protected]. Students seeking additional support should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at [email protected] or at 315-312-5483 or contact Counseling Services at 315-312-4416.

As we begin the fall semester, it is important to remember to be extra cautious before you click because of the exposure we face to these and other kinds of external threats. I ask you to remain vigilant in safeguarding against cyberattacks. In this regard, please review the cybersecurity pledge we take as members of the Laker community. In addition, review other ways in which each of us can guard against our data being accessed through our mobile devices, social media, texts, phone calls, and emails. Please report suspected cybersecurity concerns immediately to [email protected].

Have a restful weekend as we prepare for the start of the fall semester on Monday.

Remain well, 
-P 
Peter O. Nwosu, Ph.D. 
President 
 

Dear University Community Members,

Early this morning, it was reported that several electronic communications were sent to some members of our campus that were racist and contained threats of violence. I want to be clear that my team and I will always take any threat to campus very seriously and, in this case, took immediate action to investigate the matter.

SUNY Oswego does not, and will not, tolerate threats of violence or any discriminatory behavior that targets a person or group of individuals on any basis including:

• Race Color 
• National origin 
• Religion Creed 
• Age 
• Disability 
• Sex 
• Gender identity or expression 
• Sexual orientation 
• Familial status 
• Pregnancy 
• Predisposing genetic characteristics (including an individual's ancestry, country of origin, or country of origin of parents, family members, or ancestors) 
• Military status 
• Domestic violence victim status 
• Criminal conviction 
• Or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law (Non-Discrimination Policy)

Resources have been shared to ensure that students and staff impacted by this incident are supported. Students and employees with questions, please contact Kendra Cadogan, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Interim Affirmative Action Officer, at [email protected]. Students seeking additional support should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at [email protected] or at 315-312-5483 or contact Counseling Services at 315-312-4416.

Any suspected incident of bias should be reported to the SUNY Oswego Bias Prevention and Response Team using the online form or by contacting the Affirmative Action Officer or Human Resources. Any threats to safety should be reported to University Police immediately at 315-312-5555 or 5555 from any campus phone.

SUNY Oswego is a community of learners, engaged together to support one another's growth and education As we prepare for the start of the semester, be kind to one another, and if you experience any incidents of bias, report them immediately.

Remain well,

Peter O. Nwosu, Ph.D.

President

Dear Members of the SUNY Oswego Community: 

It is a great honor and joy to be named your 11th President by the State University of New York Board of Trustees. I find myself humbled to be joining an extraordinary community of teachers, scholars, staff and learners at this storied institution, a community that has kept faith with a transformational promise made 162 years ago – to contribute to the common good by enriching the human spirit and offering to as many as could realize the opportunity to be so enriched. As an individual who came to the United States as an immigrant student decades ago and was the first in my family to go to college, I find this promise extraordinarily powerful. Education transforms lives and ignites new possibilities. As your President, I am committed to advancing this promise, working together with you to build on the solid foundation laid by our founders, and all those who have preceded me in this role.

You – the students who span the globe and who each grew up wonderfully rich in ability, talent and promise, and who all worked hard, made wise choices that enabled you to reach this point and earned the opportunity to be at this storied institution founded in 1861 by Edward Austin Sheldon! You are capable, you are resilient and we are here to help you achieve your goals. I see myself in you and I cannot wait to meet you. 

You – the faculty who are so passionate about and accomplished in your academic areas of expertise. You devote your time and talent to teaching, mentoring, research and scholarship in ways that continue to advance the Oswego promise. You inspire, and you spark and advance minds. You transform lives and ignite new possibilities that are vital to the maintenance and sustenance of a democratic society. Thank you for all you do. I cannot wait to meet you. 

You – the staff who choose to work at the university because you simply love being around students and the dynamic, vibrant 24/7 operations of a residential campus and online learning environments. You enable us to be our best selves; you maintain our grounds and facilities beautifully, you take action to create an environment in which all feel safe, and you nurture minds and help develop strong, healthy individuals while building bridges, holding up ladders and opening doors (literally and figuratively) so our students can achieve their goals. I see your critical role and how much you matter. Thank you for all you do. I cannot wait to meet you. 

You – the alumni and the College Council who share your resources, time and attention generously and humbly with our students and institution – you are our success stories – you are our record of achievement, and you are our role models and dream makers for our students. You are the ones who make us a better institution. As the African proverb states, “A person is a person through other people.” We exist because of you, and we advance together because of your deep care and commitment to our students and our bright future. Thank you for all you do. I cannot wait to meet you. 

You –the friends and partners of SUNY Oswego – where would any of us be without your friendship and partnership? Thank you for including us, understanding our mission and purpose, and for inviting us to partake in new opportunities and for supporting our efforts just as we support yours. I cannot wait to meet you. 

All - we are the stewards of the promise made 162 years ago: to provide access to quality higher education that will transform ordinary lives, ignite extraordinary possibilities, enrich the civic and cultural life of our community, and advance our region’s economy.

I invite you to visit the new presidential website to learn more about me and my hopes in continuing to build upon the Oswego promise for the sake of our students and every member of the Oswego family.

Lastly, I cannot close this message without thanking and recognizing Dr. Mary C. Toale, who served as Officer-in-Charge from January 2022 until today. I am pleased she will continue working in the Office of the President as deputy to the president where she will provide support in fulfilling the university's mission, vision and institutional priorities.

As we embark together on this new chapter, let’s remember that we are all SUNY Oswego. Let’s continue to advance this powerful promise, and let’s have a great start to the fall 2023 semester. Go Lakers! See you soon!!

Best regards, 

Peter O. Nwosu, Ph.D. 

President